Healthcare

passed both · Hawaii · House May 1, 2026

HB 1976: RELATING TO DEMENTIA.

Requires the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, fire chiefs, Law Enforcement Standards Board, and Department of Health to make available at least one hour of dementia‑specific training for first responders, including law enforcement officers, fire first responders, and emergency medical services personnel. Requires the Executive Office on Aging to take certain steps when reviewing and recommending dementia-specific training curricula. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires dementia-specific training for first responders to improve recognition and care of dementia patients, enhancing emergency healthcare response and patient outcomes.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 3199: RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH.

Establishes the Mental Health Emerging Therapies Task Force within the University of Hawaii at Manoa John A. Burns School of Medicine to prepare the State for the integration of breakthrough therapies, expansion of pathways for clinical trials and clinical research, and development of policy recommendations for safe, ethical, and culturally informed implementation of emerging therapies. Requires reports to the Legislature. Sunsets 6/30/2028. Effective 1/30/2050. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes Mental Health Emerging Therapies Task Force to integrate breakthrough therapies, expand clinical trials, and develop policy recommendations for safe implementation, advancing mental health services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 2090: RELATING TO CHILD CUSTODY.

SB 2090 allows licensed mental health counselors to serve as child custody evaluators, expanding the pool of qualified professionals who can assess children's needs in custody cases. This change directly affects families involved in child custody disputes where mental health evaluations are required. The bill removes previous restrictions that limited this role to certain licensed professionals, enabling counselors with appropriate training to participate. It does not alter custody laws or standards but broadens who can conduct these evaluations. The measure passed a committee recommendation with four supporting votes in January 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands mental health professional access in custody evaluations, directly supporting mental health services by removing restrictions on licensed counselors.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 27, 2026

HCR 137: URGING AN IMMEDIATE AND PERMANENT CEASEFIRE AND AN END TO HOSTILITIES IN IRAN.

This bill requests that health maintenance organizations in Hawaii follow the state's Clean Claims Statute to pay medical claims within 30 days, or 15 days for electronic submissions. It aims to address delays in reimbursement that can harm healthcare providers and patients, particularly in rural and underserved communities. The resolution calls for greater oversight and accountability by state agencies to ensure timely payments and prevent financial distress among medical practices. It does not create new laws but formally asks HMOs to comply with existing requirements and directs copies to relevant state officials.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures timely reimbursement for healthcare claims, protecting providers and patients from financial distress and improving healthcare access.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 27, 2026

HCR 186: URGING THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY TO EXTEND THE RENEWAL PERIOD FOR SECRETARIAL DESIGNEE HEALTH CARE AUTHORIZATIONS RELATED TO THE RED HILL WATER CONTAMINATION CRISIS AND TO IMPROVE HEALTH CARE ACCESS FOR AFFECTED INDIVIDUALS.

This bill urges the U.S. Department of Defense and Defense Health Agency to extend the renewal period for health care authorizations related to the Red Hill water contamination crisis and to improve health care access for affected individuals. It directly impacts military families, civilian residents, and Department of Defense personnel who experienced health issues from fuel contamination at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility on Oahu. The resolution requests a two-year renewal cycle for Secretarial Designee authorizations to ensure continuity of care, expands access to civilian medical providers under TRICARE, and calls for coordinated referral practices between military and civilian health facilities. Additionally, it asks for the establishment of reimbursement or voucher programs to help affected individuals cover out-of-pocket medical costs, particularly for those living in areas without nearby military treatment facilities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill urges extension of healthcare authorization renewal periods and improved access for individuals affected by water contamination, directly supporting healthcare access and patient care.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill aims to improve healthcare access and extend renewal periods for affected individuals including veterans impacted by Red Hill water contamination crisis95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 22, 2026

SCR 75: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO LEAD A COORDINATED INTERDEPARTMENTAL EFFORT TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDERS IN THE STATE, INCLUDING DEVELOPMENT OF A PLAN FOR INTERAGENCY COLLABORATION TO ENSURE THE COORDINATION OF SUPPORT SERVICES.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution asks Hawaii's Department of Health to take the lead in coordinating care and support services for people with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders across the state. The bill directs the Department of Health to create a plan that brings together multiple state agencies, including health, human services, education, and the judiciary, to ensure families receive integrated support. It also requests efforts to raise public awareness, reduce stigma, and train healthcare and education professionals to better identify and manage these conditions. The Department of Health must consult with families and service providers and submit its coordination plan to the Legislature by early 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill directs Department of Health to coordinate care and support services for individuals with FASD, improving patient access and integrating health services across state agencies.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 21, 2026

SB 2261: RELATING TO HEALTH.

Requires Huli Au Ola to conduct a study on physician and dentist recruitment and retention to be located on and serve the island of Molokai. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill appropriates funds for Huli Au Ola to study physician/dentist retention on Molokai, directly addressing healthcare workforce access to strengthen services.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SCR 140: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA TO ADOPT ENERGY SAVINGS PERFORMANCE CONTRACTING AS A PRIMARY STRATEGY TO ADDRESS DEFERRED MAINTENANCE AND INFRASTRUCTURE MODERNIZATION AND IMPROVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY STATEWIDE.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution in Hawaii asks the Department of Education to study how mental health-related absences affect student attendance and well-being. The study will examine how often students miss school due to mental or behavioral health concerns, review policies in other states that allow such absences, and evaluate whether recognizing these absences as excused could improve student outcomes. The Department of Education is requested to submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the end of 2026, which may include suggestions for policy or legislative changes. This measure does not change current laws but seeks to gather data to inform future decisions about student attendance policies.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill seeks to study mental health-related absences to improve student well-being and attendance, potentially expanding support for student health needs in education.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill requests study on mental health-related absences to potentially improve student outcomes and recognize mental health needs, indicating support for mental health services.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 709: RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH.

Requires the Director of Law Enforcement to adopt rules establishing training and certification standards and procedures for crisis intervention officers. Requires the Department of Health to approve the content of such training. Clarifies the scope of treatment permitted under assisted community treatment orders. Requires the Department of the Attorney General to assist with the preparation, filing, and presentation of requests for a court order to provide treatment over a patient's objection. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires DOH to track mental health crisis data and coordinate assisted treatment, strengthening mental health service infrastructure and patient access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 2804: RELATING TO COMMERCE.

SB 2804 bars companies from acquiring or holding stocks or investments that reduce access to healthcare services or raise insurance premiums. It directly affects corporations and investment entities making such financial decisions. The key provision prohibits these specific stock holdings if they demonstrably harm healthcare affordability or availability. The bill aims to prevent corporate investment practices that negatively impact patients and insurance costs, without specifying enforcement details.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBars corporate investments harming healthcare access/affordability, directly advancing patient access and reducing insurance costs per bill's core provision.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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